Tom Hardy: LGBT website defends asking actor about his sexuality at Toronto Film Festival

The Daily Extra website says it has a responsibility to examine sexuality

Tom Hardy at a photocall for ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’ at the Cannes Film Festival (Reuters)

The LGBT website cut off by Tom Hardy for asking a question about his sexuality during a press conference has said it has a "responsibility" to address sexuality both in real life and on screen.

Hardy, who stars as both of the infamous Kray twins in the film, one of who was bisexual, was talking to reporters at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) when a question from a Daily Xtra reporter took him by surprise.

The journalist suggested Hardy’s own sexuality was “ambiguous” based on answers he reportedly gave in an interview in the past, and asked: “Do you find it hard for celebrities to talk to media about their sexuality?”

“What on earth are you on about?” Hardy responded, later adding: “I don’t find it difficult for celebrities to talk about their sexuality. Are you asking me about my sexuality?”

When the journalist responded, “um, sure”, Hardy appeared incredulous as he asked, “why?” before cutting the reporter off.

In an editorial entitled ‘Why Daily Extra asked Tom Hardy about his sexuality at TIFF’, the website responded to the media storm that followed the footage.

Xtra acknowledged that Hardy “bristled” at the question but insisted other actors were happy to talk about sexuality and gender. It also shared videos of Rachel Evan Wood and Ellen Page responding positively to being asked about their sexuality.

The site said it has a responsibility to address sexuality both in real life and on screen.

"Though actor Tom Hardy bristled at Daily Xtra’s questions about sexuality during a press conference at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sept 13, 2015, touching off a media firestorm — other actors have embraced our questions at TIFF, and even welcomed the opportunity to shine a spotlight on sexuality and gender identity.

“As Canada’s gay and lesbian news source, we feel it’s our responsibility to examine sexuality and the ways in which it’s portrayed on screen, especially once it’s in the public eye."